The NBA trade deadline is one of the most exciting parts of the season. As indicated by the name, it is the last day teams can trade players and draft picks with other teams. Every team’s goal is to raise a championship banner into the rafters at the end of the season, which is why the trade deadline is a very big deal among the NBA community.

The first deal that occurred was when all-star center Nikola Vucevic was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls wanted a second star to pair with first time all-star this season Zach Lavine. In return for Vucevic, the Magic got forward Otto Porter and center Wendall Carter Jr. These are two solid rotational players that could help this team rebuild. They also got two first round picks in 2021 and 2023. The Magic aren’t playing up to par this season, so a rebuild was definitely in the cards for them. Grabbing these two first round picks will be crucial in order to make this rebuild successful.

Houston Rockets guard Victor Oladipo was sent to the Miami Heat after being traded to the Rockets in the huge James Harden trade earlier this season. Oladipo is on the last year of his deal and made it clear to Houston that he has no interest in resigning next season. Houston has also not been playing too well and traded James Harden for five first round picks earlier this year which emphasizes that they are rebuilding. They traded Oladipo for forward Kelly Olynyk, guard Avery Bradley and a 2022 pick swap. Miami practically stole Oladipo from the Rockets and Houston fans aren’t too happy with the front office at the moment. Miami is in win mode and a solid scorer and defender like Oladipo will definitely increase their chances in the East.

The Atlanta Hawks made a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, which involved two veteran guards. The Hawks gave up guard Rajon Rondo who signed a deal with the team this past offseason. In return for Rondo, the Hawks got Lou Williams, two second round picks in 2023 and 2027 and some cash. Rondo didn’t live up to expectations this season and Williams has a similar game to current Hawks guard Trae Young. However, Williams could come in as a mentor for Trae Young, who is a rising star in this league and has one of the best offensive games.

One of the biggest trades of the day happened between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Toronto Raptors. The Trail Blazers got Norman Powell who was a solid scorer for the Raptors and could drop 20 points any given night. The Raptors got Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood, which is a huge return for Powell. It is clear that the Raptors valued Powell very highly and got an occasional starter in Trent and a solid rotational player in Hood.

The Orlando Magic weren’t done just yet, and they also traded forward Aaron Gordon to the Denver Nuggets. Gordon requested a trade earlier in the week and is glad to be on a team who are ready to win. The Magic got guard Gary Harris, guard RJ Hampton and a 2025 first round pick. The Nuggets get a solid player who can help with a championship run and the Magic get a young player in Hampton and a first round pick which will help in this rebuild.

The final trade happened between the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic yet again. The Magic sent guard Evan Fournier to the Celtics for two second round picks and Jeff Teague. The Magic waived Teague a day after the trade went through and Boston is trying to turn their season around and be a contender, like we all expected them to be. Fournier is a good scorer, averaging around 20 points per game, and could help Boston get back in the championship conversation.